Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Bolton travel guide

Bolton Tourism | Bolton Guide

You're Going to Love Bolton

With a population of 141,331, Bolton is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Bolton deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Bolton

If you’re looking for affordable options, Ewe Restaurant and Bar (370 Chorley Rd) and The Thomas Egerton (272 Blackburn Road) are great picks.

When to visit Bolton

Bolton in January
Estimated hotel price
£49
1 night at 3-star hotel
Bolton in January
Estimated hotel price
£49
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Bolton

Plane

Although Bolton doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Manchester Airport (UK) (MAN), which is located 17 miles from Bolton. Birmingham Airport (UK) is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Loganair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Bolton departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Bolton, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Bolton to London takes 3h 10m and costs around £36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about £51 for a 3h 53m trip. Located 2.0 miles from the city centre, Bolton Moses Gate is the busiest station in Bolton. Another popular train station is Bolton Bromley Cross, located 2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bolton is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 173 miles from Bolton. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Bolton, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Bolton takes 65 miles and will cost you around £15. From Leeds, the ticket costs about £5 for a journey of 70 miles. Bolton’s bus station is located 0.3 miles from the city centre.

Plane

Although Bolton doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Manchester Airport (UK) (MAN), which is located 17 miles from Bolton. Birmingham Airport (UK) is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, British Airways, Loganair and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Bolton departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Bolton, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Bolton to London takes 3h 10m and costs around £36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about £51 for a 3h 53m trip. Located 2.0 miles from the city centre, Bolton Moses Gate is the busiest station in Bolton. Another popular train station is Bolton Bromley Cross, located 2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bolton is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 173 miles from Bolton. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Turo, among others, in London.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Bolton, including National Express, FlixBus and Megabus. From Liverpool, the bus ride to Bolton takes 65 miles and will cost you around £15. From Leeds, the ticket costs about £5 for a journey of 70 miles. Bolton’s bus station is located 0.3 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Bolton

BHXBirmingham
LPLLiverpool J. Lennon
MANManchester

Airlines serving Bolton

KLM
Good (1,432 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,626 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,009 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,573 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,088 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,810 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,095 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,045 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,677 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,434 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,502 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,514 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (879 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,331 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,605 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,093 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,146 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,412 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (902 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Bolton

Where to stay in popular areas of Bolton

Most booked hotels in Bolton

See all
Holiday Inn Express Wigan By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
£40+
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Holiday Inn Express Leigh - Sports Village By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£55+
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Bolton Stadium Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£67+
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Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.1, Excellent reviews)
£75+
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Holiday Inn Bolton Centre By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£56+
View
The Court House
3 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
£44+
View

Hiring a car in Bolton

Hiring a car in Bolton costs £23 per day, on average, or £46 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to hire your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 5% cheaper than airport locations in Bolton.

Expect to pay £1.36 per litre in Bolton (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.31 and £21.75. Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Bolton, while also 74% cheaper than other types, on average.

Hiring a car in Bolton costs £23 per day, on average, or £46 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to hire your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 5% cheaper than airport locations in Bolton.

Expect to pay £1.36 per litre in Bolton (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £16.31 and £21.75. Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Bolton, while also 74% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car hire deals in Bolton

Economy

2 adults, 2 Bags

£24/day

Economy

Compact SUV

4 adults, 2 Bags

£25/day

Compact SUV
Find car hire in Bolton